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Business Verification (KYB) — Required Documents

This article explains what documents are required and what to expect during the process of business verifications.

Updated over a week ago

What Is KYB?

KYB is the business verification process that confirms:

  • Company's legal registration

  • Ownership structure

  • The identity of your company director

  • The identity of Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs)

KYB is required to use Kolo Business.

Required Documents

All companies must provide:

Document

Details

Articles of Incorporation

Or equivalent statutory documents (bylaws, memorandum of association)

Shareholder Registry

Full names of all shareholders, ownership percentages, and dates

Application Form

Completed via the business dashboard

Director KYC

Identity verification via Sum&Sub for the company director

UBO KYC

Identity verification for all Ultimate Beneficial Owners (25%+ ownership)

We may request identity verification for all UBOs.

Verification typically includes:

  1. Proof of identity

  2. Selfie / liveness check

  3. Proof of address

  4. AML screening

Additional documents for regulated companies (VASP, Fintech, Telecom)

If your company operates in a regulated industry, additional documents are required:

Document

Details

Business License

Copy of your regulatory license

AML Policy

Signed anti-money laundering policy document

MLRO CV

CV of your Money Laundering Reporting Officer

Accepted identity documents (KYC)

Directors and UBOs must provide one of the following:

  • Passport

  • National ID card (physical/plastic)

  • Driver’s license

  • Visa (must be physical/plastic)

Digital-only documents (for example, digital residence permits or paper certificates without a photo) may not be accepted. The document must be a physical card with a photo, but you can upload photo from your camera roll.

Document acceptance depends on the verification provider and compliance checks.

In practice, directors and UBOs can often complete KYB using passports issued outside the company’s country of incorporation (for example, Brazil international passports for a UK company). If you are unsure whether a specific document will be accepted, contact support before starting verification.

KYB verification process

  1. The admin initiates KYB from the business dashboard

  2. SumSub verification links are generated for the director and all applicable UBOs and sent via email

  3. Each person completes verification in SumSub (ID + selfie) and uploads PoA when requested

  4. Documents are reviewed by the compliance team

  5. After verification is complete, Kolo Business become available once the business dashboard is fully set up

After you upload all documents and everyone completes verification, let your account manager know. Setup is typically completed the same day once everything is ready.

Typical timeline

  • Same-day completion: a few hours (if all participants complete KYC promptly)

  • Standard processing: 1–3 business days

  • Regulated companies (additional review): 5–10 business days

Special cases

  • Multiple subsidiaries: each subsidiary needs separate KYB. Shared UBOs may be able to reuse verification.

  • Director change: if the director changes after KYB approval, the new director must complete KYC. Contact support or your account manager to request a new verification link.

  • Non-standard ownership structures: trusts, foundations, and multi-layered structures may require additional documents.

Need help?

If you are unsure which documents are required for your company, contact support before submitting your KYB application.

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